Comments on: How Shall A Young Man Cleanse His Way? – Exposition of Psalm 119:9 by C.H. Spurgeon http://transformedbygrace.com/2009/10/how-shall-a-young-man-cleanse-his-way-exposition-of-psalm-1199-by-c-h-spurgeon/ A Christ-Centered Blog Focusing on Biblical Theology, Christian Doctrine, and Current Events Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:55:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: R.A. Servin http://transformedbygrace.com/2009/10/how-shall-a-young-man-cleanse-his-way-exposition-of-psalm-1199-by-c-h-spurgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-159 R.A. Servin Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:54:37 +0000 http://transformedbygrace.com/?p=649#comment-159 Darren, sorry it took so long to respond bro! Give me grace! While I agree that the Son sets us free from our bondage of sin, I don't believe that God's word is just a guide. I believe that the scripture is God's divine revelation to man and that it is sufficient to reveal God's will to us in all facets of life. 2 Tim. 3:16 I believe this is why the psalmist says that he meditates on God's Law day and night... Psalm 1:2 I believe that if we as God's chosen people are truly meditating on His word as we should we will be equipped with the knowledge of His will and we will be able to make decisions in this life that truly honor the Lord. I also believe that the every decision that we make is ultimately God's will... (speaking of His decretive or secret will here.) When making decisions we should be concerned with not going against His revealed will, which is clearly laid out in the scriptures. Which is why we need to KNOW the word. <em>Quote from Wayne Grudem in his book titled "Systematic Theology" in his chapter on the sufficiency of scripture:</em> "The sufficiency of scripture means that scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly." When you ask how we make decisions such as what job to take, or what school to enroll our children in, I believe that we must make biblically informed decisions. Yes the Holy Spirit is in us making the scriptures plain to us, causing us to understand and apply the scriptures but I do not believe that the Holy Spirit "speaking" to us or making His "voice" known to us is the norm. Do I believe that He can do this, yes. But I believe that God has given us everything that we need to know to obey, trust, and make decisions in His word. I believe where the Holy Spirit comes in when making decisions is that He is there to bear witness with your spirit, to convict you of wrong thinking and doing, and to point you to His word. God opens doors and closes doors. If you want to work as a bartender, I believe that the scripture is clear and the Holy Spirit will remind you of it and bring conviction. The principle is that you make decisions based on the scriptures and then do as God opens and closes doors. I have a question? How do you listen to Jesus' voice? Grace to you brother, Roger Darren, sorry it took so long to respond bro! Give me grace!
While I agree that the Son sets us free from our bondage of sin, I don’t believe that God’s word is just a guide. I believe that the scripture is God’s divine revelation to man and that it is sufficient to reveal God’s will to us in all facets of life. 2 Tim. 3:16 I believe this is why the psalmist says that he meditates on God’s Law day and night… Psalm 1:2 I believe that if we as God’s chosen people are truly meditating on His word as we should we will be equipped with the knowledge of His will and we will be able to make decisions in this life that truly honor the Lord. I also believe that the every decision that we make is ultimately God’s will… (speaking of His decretive or secret will here.) When making decisions we should be concerned with not going against His revealed will, which is clearly laid out in the scriptures. Which is why we need to KNOW the word.
Quote from Wayne Grudem in his book titled “Systematic Theology” in his chapter on the sufficiency of scripture: “The sufficiency of scripture means that scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly.”
When you ask how we make decisions such as what job to take, or what school to enroll our children in, I believe that we must make biblically informed decisions. Yes the Holy Spirit is in us making the scriptures plain to us, causing us to understand and apply the scriptures but I do not believe that the Holy Spirit “speaking” to us or making His “voice” known to us is the norm. Do I believe that He can do this, yes. But I believe that God has given us everything that we need to know to obey, trust, and make decisions in His word.
I believe where the Holy Spirit comes in when making decisions is that He is there to bear witness with your spirit, to convict you of wrong thinking and doing, and to point you to His word. God opens doors and closes doors. If you want to work as a bartender, I believe that the scripture is clear and the Holy Spirit will remind you of it and bring conviction. The principle is that you make decisions based on the scriptures and then do as God opens and closes doors.

I have a question? How do you listen to Jesus’ voice?

Grace to you brother,

Roger

]]> By: Mark http://transformedbygrace.com/2009/10/how-shall-a-young-man-cleanse-his-way-exposition-of-psalm-1199-by-c-h-spurgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Mark Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:47:33 +0000 http://transformedbygrace.com/?p=649#comment-113 The way that I do it is to connect my ipod earpods to my earlobes and listen to a daily scripture reading. I then imagine myself in the throne room of God and that there is no place better than that, and that God is directly talking to me. This is me and God time where I listen, but I also pray, even in prayer language. If you put your ipod under the pillow, it is easier to find in the morning. The way that I do it is to connect my ipod earpods to my earlobes and listen to a daily scripture reading. I then imagine myself in the throne room of God and that there is no place better than that, and that God is directly talking to me. This is me and God time where I listen, but I also pray, even in prayer language.

If you put your ipod under the pillow, it is easier to find in the morning.

]]> By: Darren R (UK) http://transformedbygrace.com/2009/10/how-shall-a-young-man-cleanse-his-way-exposition-of-psalm-1199-by-c-h-spurgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-109 Darren R (UK) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:59:44 +0000 http://transformedbygrace.com/?p=649#comment-109 Hi Roger, The written Word (logos) does serve as a guide but I do not believe it is a roadmap to follow. Yes the law is the schoolmaster and it shows us beyond doubt that we are incapable in our ability to keep our ways pure (Galatians 3:24). But then I believe we are to fall on the rock Christ Jesus in response to our inability to be acceptable to God. It’s not the law that sets us free or the Bible in itself- it is the Son who sets us free. We are set free because we are no longer bound by the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2-4) but our whole conduct is now controlled by the Holy Spirit (I believe the Amplified Bible explains this clearly). When we are led by the Spirit we cannot transgress the law. This life in the Spirit includes hearing Jesus’ voice and getting a living Word (rhema) which is particular to your situation (John 10:27). In this way Jesus then directs your life and He truly becomes Lord in function so that you are not in a position of calling Him ‘Lord, Lord’ and then not doing the things He says (Luke 6:46). If we simply read the Bible for our whole source of faith then when a decision is to be made for our lives how do we come to the right conclusion? Do we look through the Bible for a particular scripture then weigh it up with our carnal/natural mind which is basically sense and reason without the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:6 Amp)? This means we have become Lord and are operating in a false spiritualised flesh. I believe this is the seriousness of the message in Matthew 7:23. Whereas you stated “it’s the scripture that tells us to do this or that”, how do the scriptures tell you which job is right for you? How do you know which school to send your children? Where to buy your house or indeed rent? How do you know when it’s time to discipline your brother or cover his sin? When do you operate in gentleness and when do you throw the tables in anger? When is the right time to fast and when is the right time to eat? When do you put mud in someone’s blind eyes and when do you tell them to dip in the river?.... I believe Jesus has an answer to every single question in our lives and that answer is found in listening to His voice and following Him. Otherwise we operate in our reason and understanding and thus we often miss the mark (Proverbs 3:5-6). I would encourage anyone to read Philippians 3:8-10 in the Amplified which sums up the apostle Paul’s attitude to the points I present above. Meditating on scripture may be a good thing but the application of the scriptures in our lives must be submitted to the Lord. Paul was aware that the greatest privilege of all is to become acquainted with Christ in person and for us to live IN Christ. As I said in paragraph 1, the scriptures are a guide and not a roadmap. Just as a note, I also believe that Jesus as the firstborn brother is our example to follow. Therefore if you could select anyone in the history of time who may not have to submit to Lordship then Jesus the Son of God would be a good candidate. However if you read John 5:30 in the Amplified it clearly shows that Jesus too was submitted to Father and acted upon the Father’s direction. I would again be interested in your thoughts… Blessings Darren NOTE: In case you wondered why I quote the Amplified it’s because it gives a clearer rounding and better flavour of the original text as written. It often takes a few English words to describe the equivalent Hebrew or Greek (I’m sure you are aware). I used to read the KJV as preference but I found that I was always searching my Strongs for the correct meaning of the original words. Of course in reality it might not matter what version you read as long as you get the correct interpretation of what God was and is actually saying. Hi Roger,

The written Word (logos) does serve as a guide but I do not believe it is a roadmap to follow. Yes the law is the schoolmaster and it shows us beyond doubt that we are incapable in our ability to keep our ways pure (Galatians 3:24). But then I believe we are to fall on the rock Christ Jesus in response to our inability to be acceptable to God. It’s not the law that sets us free or the Bible in itself- it is the Son who sets us free.

We are set free because we are no longer bound by the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2-4) but our whole conduct is now controlled by the Holy Spirit (I believe the Amplified Bible explains this clearly). When we are led by the Spirit we cannot transgress the law. This life in the Spirit includes hearing Jesus’ voice and getting a living Word (rhema) which is particular to your situation (John 10:27). In this way Jesus then directs your life and He truly becomes Lord in function so that you are not in a position of calling Him ‘Lord, Lord’ and then not doing the things He says (Luke 6:46).

If we simply read the Bible for our whole source of faith then when a decision is to be made for our lives how do we come to the right conclusion? Do we look through the Bible for a particular scripture then weigh it up with our carnal/natural mind which is basically sense and reason without the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:6 Amp)? This means we have become Lord and are operating in a false spiritualised flesh. I believe this is the seriousness of the message in Matthew 7:23.

Whereas you stated “it’s the scripture that tells us to do this or that”, how do the scriptures tell you which job is right for you? How do you know which school to send your children? Where to buy your house or indeed rent? How do you know when it’s time to discipline your brother or cover his sin? When do you operate in gentleness and when do you throw the tables in anger? When is the right time to fast and when is the right time to eat? When do you put mud in someone’s blind eyes and when do you tell them to dip in the river?….

I believe Jesus has an answer to every single question in our lives and that answer is found in listening to His voice and following Him. Otherwise we operate in our reason and understanding and thus we often miss the mark (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I would encourage anyone to read Philippians 3:8-10 in the Amplified which sums up the apostle Paul’s attitude to the points I present above. Meditating on scripture may be a good thing but the application of the scriptures in our lives must be submitted to the Lord. Paul was aware that the greatest privilege of all is to become acquainted with Christ in person and for us to live IN Christ. As I said in paragraph 1, the scriptures are a guide and not a roadmap.

Just as a note, I also believe that Jesus as the firstborn brother is our example to follow. Therefore if you could select anyone in the history of time who may not have to submit to Lordship then Jesus the Son of God would be a good candidate. However if you read John 5:30 in the Amplified it clearly shows that Jesus too was submitted to Father and acted upon the Father’s direction.

I would again be interested in your thoughts…

Blessings
Darren

NOTE: In case you wondered why I quote the Amplified it’s because it gives a clearer rounding and better flavour of the original text as written. It often takes a few English words to describe the equivalent Hebrew or Greek (I’m sure you are aware). I used to read the KJV as preference but I found that I was always searching my Strongs for the correct meaning of the original words. Of course in reality it might not matter what version you read as long as you get the correct interpretation of what God was and is actually saying.

]]> By: R.A. Servin http://transformedbygrace.com/2009/10/how-shall-a-young-man-cleanse-his-way-exposition-of-psalm-1199-by-c-h-spurgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-108 R.A. Servin Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:46:48 +0000 http://transformedbygrace.com/?p=649#comment-108 Darren, Thanks for commenting on the post bro. It's always a joy to hear from you. First I want to say that I totally agree that we as Christians must walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. As we do so, we necessarily grow in holiness as it is the Spirit Himself who is growing us and maturing us in Christ. But I believe that "walking according to the Spirit is a necessary consequence to being born again, coming to Christ by grace through faith, and then taking heed unto the Word of Christ. I believe God's Word teaches clearly that we grow in holiness as a result of reading and then obeying what we read. How can we be obedient to God if "studying God's Word" is not at the forefront of our being? It is the scripture that tells us that we must do this or that, it is the scripture that informs us about God's character, it is the scripture that informs us of our own sinfulness. (Rom. 7:7) Wouldn't you agree that our theology informs how we live? Aren't we acquainted with Him through knowledge of Him?? Looking forward to your reply... :-) Darren,

Thanks for commenting on the post bro. It’s always a joy to hear from you. First I want to say that I totally agree that we as Christians must walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. As we do so, we necessarily grow in holiness as it is the Spirit Himself who is growing us and maturing us in Christ. But I believe that “walking according to the Spirit is a necessary consequence to being born again, coming to Christ by grace through faith, and then taking heed unto the Word of Christ. I believe God’s Word teaches clearly that we grow in holiness as a result of reading and then obeying what we read. How can we be obedient to God if “studying God’s Word” is not at the forefront of our being? It is the scripture that tells us that we must do this or that, it is the scripture that informs us about God’s character, it is the scripture that informs us of our own sinfulness. (Rom. 7:7) Wouldn’t you agree that our theology informs how we live? Aren’t we acquainted with Him through knowledge of Him??

Looking forward to your reply… :-)

]]> By: Darren R (UK) http://transformedbygrace.com/2009/10/how-shall-a-young-man-cleanse-his-way-exposition-of-psalm-1199-by-c-h-spurgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Darren R (UK) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:02:24 +0000 http://transformedbygrace.com/?p=649#comment-107 Interesting text but I of course I do have a few comments… How shall a young man be Holy & cleanse his way?... I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Gal 5:16, Romans8:1). The only way to be Holy is by walking in the Spirit and being led by the Spirit of God (those that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God according to Romans 8:14). The 3rd paragraph of the above text advises to study the Bible which I would agree is important but reading your Bible doesn’t make you Holy just as reading a comic doesn’t make you a cartoon character. Many people read the Bible and reason it out, work it out and weigh it up with their natural mind – the natural mind is the mind of the flesh and it’s enmity to God (see Romans 8:6 Amplified: the mind of the flesh is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit). It’s not meditating on scripture that makes a man Holy, what makes a man Holy is walking and living IN Christ, IN The Spirit, IN the Kingdom of God, IN His presence- that’s where Holiness is found. If it was reading the scriptures that made people Holy and pure then the persecuted Christians in China are disadvantaged of God and cannot attain the same Holiness as us who are free to read as many Bibles as we desire. That’s not to say that reading your Bible is wrong and that isn’t my stance. The Bible as originally meant and in the Spirit it was written is truly inspired of God. The danger comes in when people focus too much on the Bible as if it has some power to change you without the Spirit of God. If too much focus us put on study of scriptures we end up with a theology based on an external study of God rather than a personal theology based on being acquainted with Him… Will people cry out on that day (see matthew 7:22)”Lord, didn’t we read the Bible in your name?” Will His response be, “Depart from me, I never KNEW you?” In summary, if a man wants to keep his way pure then he must walk in the Spirit and become acquainted with the living God. In Christ you are set apart and you are Holy as He directs your being and functions as Lord in your life. Holiness cannot be found external to Christ. Yes, you can read the Bible and discover things of God, things He hates, things He loves. You can learn of other people’s relationship with Him and the things that they discovered through the Spirit. However, knowing these things in and of themselves cannot make you Holy. Jesus and a life IN Him makes you Holy. Thoughts..? Interesting text but I of course I do have a few comments…
How shall a young man be Holy & cleanse his way?…
I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Gal 5:16, Romans8:1). The only way to be Holy is by walking in the Spirit and being led by the Spirit of God (those that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God according to Romans 8:14).
The 3rd paragraph of the above text advises to study the Bible which I would agree is important but reading your Bible doesn’t make you Holy just as reading a comic doesn’t make you a cartoon character. Many people read the Bible and reason it out, work it out and weigh it up with their natural mind – the natural mind is the mind of the flesh and it’s enmity to God (see Romans 8:6 Amplified: the mind of the flesh is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit).
It’s not meditating on scripture that makes a man Holy, what makes a man Holy is walking and living IN Christ, IN The Spirit, IN the Kingdom of God, IN His presence- that’s where Holiness is found. If it was reading the scriptures that made people Holy and pure then the persecuted Christians in China are disadvantaged of God and cannot attain the same Holiness as us who are free to read as many Bibles as we desire.
That’s not to say that reading your Bible is wrong and that isn’t my stance. The Bible as originally meant and in the Spirit it was written is truly inspired of God. The danger comes in when people focus too much on the Bible as if it has some power to change you without the Spirit of God. If too much focus us put on study of scriptures we end up with a theology based on an external study of God rather than a personal theology based on being acquainted with Him…
Will people cry out on that day (see matthew 7:22)”Lord, didn’t we read the Bible in your name?” Will His response be, “Depart from me, I never KNEW you?”
In summary, if a man wants to keep his way pure then he must walk in the Spirit and become acquainted with the living God. In Christ you are set apart and you are Holy as He directs your being and functions as Lord in your life. Holiness cannot be found external to Christ.
Yes, you can read the Bible and discover things of God, things He hates, things He loves. You can learn of other people’s relationship with Him and the things that they discovered through the Spirit. However, knowing these things in and of themselves cannot make you Holy. Jesus and a life IN Him makes you Holy.

Thoughts..?

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